Salt Lake Stadium

Salt Lake Stadium
সল্ট লেক স্টেডিয়াম
Vivekananda Yuva Bharati Krirangan
(বিবেকানন্দ যুবভারতী ক্রীড়াঙ্গন)

Salt Lake Stadium
Location Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Owner Indian Football Association
Capacity 68,000[1]
Field size 105 × 68 metres
Surface (1984–2011) Grass,
(2011–2015) Astro-turf,
(2015– ) Grass
Construction
Opened January 1984
Architect M/S. Ballardie, Thompson & Matthews Pvt. Ltd.;
M/S. H.K. Sen & Associates
Tenants
India national football team (since 1984)
Mohun Bagan A.C. (since 1984)
East Bengal F.C. (since 1984)
Mohammedan S.C. (since 1984)
Atlético de Kolkata (since 2014)

Salt Lake Stadium or Yuva Bharati Krirangan is a multipurpose stadium in Bidhannagar, Kolkata, West Bengal, with a current capacity of 68,000. It is the largest stadium in India by capacity.[1] Before its renovation in 2011, it was the second largest football stadium in the world, having a seating capacity of 120,000.[2] Reportedly, a total of 85,000 bucket seats will be installed in the stadium before the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held in India.[3]

The record attendance of 131,000[4] was set in 1997 in a Kolkata Derby match between Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.

The stadium recently switched back to natural grass from artificial turf as part of the preparations for hosting the U-17 World Cup in 2017. The new turf was unveiled in a Kolkata Derby match between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan during the Calcutta Football League.[5]

About the stadium

The stadium is situated approximately 10 km to the east of the Kolkata downtown. The roof is made of metal tubes and aluminum sheets and concrete. The stadium covers an area of 76.40 acres (309,200 m2) and it was inaugurated in January, 1984.

Football matches

Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata during Atletico Kolkata vs FC Goa

After its inauguration in January, 1984 with the Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup Soccer Tournament, the Salt Lake Stadium has hosted several important international tournaments or matches such as The Pre-World Cup Tournament in 1985, Super-Soccers in 1986, 1989, 1991 and 1994, 3rd SAF Games in 1987, USSR Festival Cup in 1988, Charminar Challenger Trophy in 1992, Jawaharlal Nehru International Gold Cup in 1995.

The Salt Lake Stadium hosts the home games of local clubs Mohun Bagan A.C., East Bengal FC, Mohammedan SC and United SC, four of the clubs in Indian football.[6] It has also hosted a large number of Kolkata Derby matches. Many of the home games of the India national football team are also played in Salt Lake. Since 2014 a new tenant team 'Atlético de Kolkata' (playing in ISL) had made the stadium their home ground.

Aerial view of Salt Lake Stadium

On June 5, 2011 FIFA sanctioned a match to be played at Salt Lake on September 2, 2011. The match was played between Argentina and Venezuela. [7][8] The stadium has also hosted Oliver Kahn's official farewell match for Bayern Munich when they played a friendly match against Mohun Bagan; Bayern won 3–0.[9] In December 2012, a friendly match was played between Brazil Masters vs IFA All Stars. Brazil Masters won it 3-1. Beto scored twice and Bebeto scored one goal for Brazil Masters.[10]

On 12 October 2014, the stadium hosted the first match in the Indian Super League, preceded by an opening ceremony including Priyanka Chopra. In the opening match, Atlético de Kolkata defeated Mumbai City FC 3–0.[11] The stadium hosted its last match of the inaugural edition of ISL on 14 December where Atletico de Kolkata played FC Goa in the first leg of the semi-finals. Saltlake stadium was the only stadium among the eight venues of ISL where matches were allowed to be played on artificial turf. Throughout the tournament there were controversies and debates regarding the safety of players on the injury prone AstroTurf.

Some major international football matches (mainly India's home matches) played at the Salt Lake Stadium are listed below:

Other uses

The stadium also hosts important athletic events. It has hosted the SAF Games in 1987 and various national athletics events in India. The stadium also hosts different kinds of cultural programs such as dance and music concerts.

Connectivity

The stadium lies on the Eastern Metropolitan Bypass, so it is easily accessible by road. A metro station on the East-West Corridor on the Kolkata Metro is currently being constructed.

Gallery

References

  1. 1 2 "Transformed and shrunk Saltlake Stadium ready for ISL". 8 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "The 10 Largest Football Stadiums In The World". 24 November 2009.
  3. ↑ "যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের ঘাস পোঁতা শুরু হল যুবভারতীতে". 24 June 2015.
  4. ↑ http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2011/11/19/2762641/mohun-bagan-vs-east-bengal-the-deadly-derby-awaits-please-fasten-
  5. ↑ Salt lake stadium to get natural turf
  6. ↑ "40 injured as Mohun Bagan-East Bengal derby called off". DNA. Dec 9, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Argentina assistant coach to inspect work at Salt Lake stadium – Times Of India". Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  8. ↑ "Venezuela vs Argentina Report". Goal.com. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  9. ↑ "Mohun Bagan Athletic Club". Mohunbaganclub.com. Retrieved 2011-09-03.
  10. ↑ http://arunfoot.blogspot.in/2012/12/brazilian-master-win-3-1-against-ifa.html
  11. ↑ "Ex-Liverpool stars Luis Garcia and Josemi start as Atletico de Kolkata win first Indian Super League clash against Mumbai City". Daily Mail. Associated Press. 12 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
  12. 1 2 3 4 "Nehru Cup 1984". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "1984 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier". RSSSF. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  14. 1 2 3 "FIFA World Cup 1986 Qualifying". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  15. 1 2 3 "1987 S.A.F. Games". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  16. 1 2 "1992 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Nehru Cup 1995". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  18. ↑ "2007 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier". RSSSF. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  19. ↑ "Argentina beat Venezuela in Kolkata friendly". Zeenews Sports Bureau. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  20. ↑ Venezuela vs Argentina Friendly 2011
  21. ↑ ARGENTINA VS VENEZUELA FRIENDLY, 2011

External links

Coordinates: 22°34′08″N 88°24′33″E / 22.56889°N 88.40917°E / 22.56889; 88.40917

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